Summer Home – Stagetecture

Outdoor Home: Fun Mailbox Ideas

Simran Chhibber — Sun, 16 Aug 2015 12:58:38 +0000

Getting mail is so much fun, especially since paper communication has become so rare. As a result that once in a while letter is all the more fun and awaited. The wait alone gives a good reason to have a great looking mailbox, to welcome written communication from friends and family. Mailboxes are also being looked up upon as sculptural pieces that enhance your curb appeal and give it a fresh look. Via today’s post we bring to you a few fun mailbox ideas, that can be easily executed at home.

Outdoor Home: Fun Mailbox Ideas

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Get Inspired By On Screen Heroes

Is there a character that you and the kids absolutely adore? Superman, Batman, Spiderman, etc. Get yourself a nice character inspired mailbox and let the heroes welcome your mail. A number of online stores have these readily available at a great price! And if you are a keen craftsman, sculpture it out in your garage workshop.

Reuse & Recycle

Kids usually have these large toy trucks and buses that lie idle once they loose their interest in them. Bring these to good use and recycle them into a more usable avatar. These toys which are mostly hollow inside make for excellent mailboxes and can be quick crafted into beautiful sculptures with a little effort.

Classic Old School

This genre never goes out of fashion. A classic wrought iron mailbox, fitted perfectly into the brickwork posts makes up for a very handsome alternative. Such mailboxes blend very well with your existing landscape and add and old world charm to your curb. And the best part is, that old school is evergreen.

Miss Countryside?

Do you miss country life, farm life or the laid back life of smaller towns and villages. Well, there is a souvenir that you keep forever. Yes, you guessed it right! Farm animal mailboxes! You might have to hire a local carpenter to sculpt one for you but its worth all the effort:)

Paint It As You Like

Well this one uses old mailboxes and revamps them into new. You can either paint them in your favorite shades or just stencil out unique patterns and motifs on them. Stencils can be simply crafted at home using thick card sheets or medium thickness cardboard box. You can even stencil out alphabets and numbers! So what about some name and address markings out there.

Mailboxes are attracting much attention these days because they do a lot to enhance the curb appeal. People almost make an impression about you and your home, right at the curb. So why not get it right. A few of these mailbox ideas require a little bit outside help and a few can be easily crafted at home. Take your pick and share your wonderful mailbox ideas with us.

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Summer Home: Ideas For Shoe Storage

Simran Chhibber — Tue, 21 Jul 2015 11:09:10 +0000

Shoe storage is perhaps one of the most neglected chores in a household. Homeowners spend a lot of time setting up their kitchens, bedrooms and living spaces, but most often forget about shoes. What ultimately happens is that shoes, because of the lack of storage space available for them are left underneath the bed, besides the sofa or just anywhere where some space is available. This can be potentially hazardous as one might just trip over carelessly kept shoes. Our todays post discovers ways to store your shoes effectively in your summer home.

Summer Home: Ideas For Shoe Storage

Ideas For Shoe Storage

Image Via: Lushome

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Small Cubbies For Shoes

Cubbies are a pretty effective way to store shoes. While planning your storage space in a house, keep in mind that shoes need to be stored. It just makes the task easier later on. A whole cupboard can be dedicated to shoes and it can have small cubbies inside them. One thing you will have to be careful about. Have the cubbies at least six inches in height so that your smart stilettos can be stored easily! Also have larger cubbies in place for boots and likes.

Cubbies For Shoe Storage

Image Via:Marielle Paula

A Dedicated Shoe Cabinet

If a separate cupboard with cubbies sounds too lavish to you then a smaller shoe cabinet might fit in the bill perfectly. Just have the shelfs designed at an angle. It will just be easier to store and pick out shoes in case you are in a hurry. Since there are no vertical partitions here you will be able to fit in more number of shoes in a smaller space.

A Shoe Cabinet with plenty of storage

Image Via: Wharfside

A Pull Out Full Length Cabinet

If you don’t have a lot of wall space to dedicate an entire cupboard to shoes, but still have a lot many shoes to store, here is what you can do. In your bedroom, use the free space behind your bed to create storage. Your bed will be sorta tucked in, in this arrangement. Then you can arrange for a full length vertical cabinet with shoes stored sideways. Remember to have the shelf slanting.

Full Length Cabinets

Image Via: Douglas Design Studio

The Space Under The Stair Tread

Did you realize that those precious six inches just beneath your tread were enough to store your stylish high heels? Utilize that space and include some smart pull out drawers there. The drawers can store your shoes and even other home utility items that run short of storage space. This idea is in fact a super space saver and works very effectively in compact living spaces.

Under The Treads

Image Via: Lipton Plant Architects

These days we have shoes for all occasions. Be it kids, ladies or gentlemen, shoes are finding their way into fashion and dressing. We all have so many shoes, but very less storage space. Hence, our footwear takes a beating and gets worn out sooner than its usual life. Putting a few of these ideas to use might help you store your precious footwear better in your summer home. Please do write to us about any more shoe storage ideas that you might have.

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Outdoor Home: Summer Ideas For Your Front Door

Simran Chhibber — Sat, 11 Jul 2015 11:55:25 +0000

What is the first thing someone is likely to notice about your house? The front door of course! Your outdoor home is in fact, pretty much incomplete, without a front door that complements your taste, style and the current trend. All three need to go hand in hand. Using simple techniques like the right paint color, right patterns and right combinations you can modify the front door to meet your needs. Today lets ponder upon a few front door ideas that will make your outdoor home a delight this summers!

Outdoor Home: Summer Ideas For Your Front Door

Front Door Ideas

Image Via: Snap Creativity

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A Pop of Warm Color!

When I say yellow, I don’t literally mean only yellow! What I mean to emphasize is the fact that bright accent colors are just perfect for front doors during summers. You can use bright yellows, jazzy reds or striking apple greens. The idea is to add color to the dry and lifeless summers. Isn’t it nice if the front door brings a whiff of fresh air into the dull outsides.

Paint It Bright

Image Via: Preston Lane

A Checkered Pattern

Summers are all for transparency. Don’t we love to use light curtains and see through divider screens in our interiors? Well, the outdoor home deserves some transparency too! Use a checkered pattern as shown in the image below. Let the basic framework be carved out of wood and the square inserts be decked with glass. If you are worried about the door fitting into winter attire later in the year, use frosted or echoed glass instead.

A See-Through Pattern

Image Via: Michael Fullen Design Group

Shades Of Vintage

Painting the front door in shades of vintage is another great way to greet summers in style. You can use a pale custard shade of yellow or a nice vintage blue to get the desired effect. ‘Theme Vintage’ complements summers perfectly so you don’t have to worry a bit about greeting your visitors this summer.

Vintage Craze – add a pop of color to your front entry

Image Via: Rudloff Custom Builders

Create Some Drama With Iron Work

The Mediterranean countries, all known for blazing, ruthless sunny days, use wrought iron in their decor. The reason is simple. Wrought iron is easy to mould into most ornamental and elaborate shapes and blends perfectly with glass and wood to create a delicate, balanced and light effect. Try using the combination of wrought iron, glass and wood into your front door and create magic in your outdoor home!

Summer Front Door

Image Via: Scottsdale Design Center

Front doors aren’t just mere entryways into your home but also a reflection of your personality and likings. It thus becomes important for your to make a statement with your front door, signaling visitors what to expect from your. If you can blend in your likes with the summery ideas that we have just mentioned, I am sure everyone is up for a visual treat. Do share any more front door decor ideas that you might have. Its always nice to read your suggestions and comments.

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How to Keep your Summer Home Clean with Pets

Simran Chhibber — Fri, 05 Jun 2015 11:35:43 +0000

You might have often wondered if it was possible to keep your summer home spic and span with pets around. Well, I would say that it is possible but you might have to put in some effort. Pets are just like our kids and we need to clean up the same way we do for our kids. A few areas probably need a little more effort, but it is all possible. I bet, pet lovers won’t mind this extra bit of work!

How to Keep your Summer Home Clean with Pets

Pets At Home

Image Via: Winnipeg Free Press

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Brushing Them Regularly

Pets, especially dogs tend to shed a lot of hair. If not brushed often, pet hair finds its way into every possible nook and corner of your house. Not only is it unhygienic but it can be hazardous if pet hair get mixed with food stuff. Brushing your pets daily is a very good habit to form. You must brush and groom your pets outdoors and use a brush that is meant especially for the purpose. Believe me, regular brushing and grooming goes a long way into keeping your home clean and hygienic.

Brush Your Pets Regularly

Image Via: Mobile Pet Grooming San Diego

Vacuum Frequently

Besides brushing, vacuuming should also be a part of your house cleaning efforts if you have pets around. It’s a good idea to fix up a day in the week where you can vacuum clean your house, especially sofa corners. Summers make pets shed their hair more often and sweeping the floors isn’t a very bright idea since the hair are so light that they will just fly from here to there. With pets around, vacuuming is a must.

Slipcovers Come In Handy

Most pet owners treat pets just like their own kids. Hence, the pets are free to use any part of the house, be it the living room sofas , your beds or even your kitchen. As far as the sofas and couches go, its a good idea to invest in slipcovers that match your decor. Sofas and seating is an expensive part of your home decor and pets might unknowingly scratch or damage it. So better safe than sorry.

Slipcovers Come In Handy

Image Via: Sure Fit Slipcovers

Wipe Them After An Outdoor Trip

After your pets come back from a walk, you should ideally have a towel ready to wipe their paws. They usually gather a lot of mud and dirt in their paws and might end up spoiling and dirtying the insides of your home. So the first thing you must do when they come back is wipe their paws.

Keep The pets Clean

Image Via: Country Living

A home with pets doesn’t need big tasks, just a couple of small tasks done regularly. Initially, one might find it bothersome to keep up with the routine but once things start falling in place and your house starts appearing cleaner and organised, it will all be worth the effort. You might also want to keep some parts of your home restricted for pets. Another thing that you must take care of with pets is your home cleaning supplies. Just as you steer away from dangerous stuff and choose earth-friendly products with kids around, do the same with pets. Do share how you keep your home clean with pets around.

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Summer Home: Best Summer Color Palettes

Simran Chhibber — Sun, 17 May 2015 18:48:08 +0000

It’s amazing how seasons alter our way of living every four months. They alter our eating habits, lifestyle choices, pick of clothes etc. It wouldn’t be wrong to assume that we subconsciously keep on adding and subtracting items to our decor to match or rather complement the outdoors. Season coherent color palettes help us choose our home decor in a more thoughtful and intelligent way. Now that summers are going to be here, a summer-tuned summer home would be a pleasant retreat for its owners. So here is a pick of my favorite summer palettes, that take a break from the usual pastel color charts. And no, you don’t have to revamp your entire house, you just need to add and subtract cleverly

Summer Home: Best Summer Color Palettes

Best Summer Color Palettes

Image Via: Highgate House

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Tangerines And Corals With Sea Shades

Sea is the ‘In Thing’ during summers. There is a reason why we flock by the sea-side and organize summer beach themed picnics. Sea, water, pools,etc. stand synonymous with the feelings of freshness and cool and so does aquatic life. Beautifully shaded corals standing besides the varying shades of sea blues and azures probably translate into the most beautiful and dramatic of summer color palettes. When used in your summer home this sea inspired palette is only going to add oodles of beauty. I would suggest using coral or tangerine accents against the base of blue for the best effects.

Bring coral into your decor elements.

Image Via: Betsy Burnham

Shades Of Lemon & Lime

All things lime and lemony bring along freshness, energy and life and so the shades of lemon and lime transcend well into summer homes. These shades of earthy yet bright yellows and greens do amazingly well with neutral walls and wooden furniture. You can use this color palette in your room accent pieces, linen, pillow covers, sheets, curtains etc.

Shades Of Lime

Image Via: Amy Lau Design

Apple Green And Reds

Apple green is another perky color. When used against red it creates a very energetic ambience in your summer home. This color palette works the best when used with beige or its hues in the backdrop. If your decor has a touch of mid-century modern, then is color palette is just the right one for you as it works really well with the curvy pointy language of that era. A word of caution though – Do not overdo!

Apple Green & Red

Image Via: Kristen Rivoli Interior Design

A Rainbow Mix

Summer is a season where you can splash colors uninhibitedly. A mixed rainbow themed palette with all colors bright and nice can be used very effectively in your summer home. Fresh flower arrangements, lampshades, cushion covers and wall art are a few places where you can experiment with the rainbow mix.

Bring summery rainbow colors into your home

Image Via: Nest Designs

Using a particular color palette for a season should not be an expensive affair. You just need use the already existent stuff in a more innovative way. Maybe you could paint some old chinaware tangerine or ask your kids to paint a rainbow mix painting for the walls. Fresh summer blooms will help you a lot with bringing in color too. Anyways, we do keep on changing our bedroom linen and cushion covers on a regular basis, so why not tune them to the season? Do share your views on our summer palette picks and share yours!

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Summer Home: Patterns And Textures For The Season

Simran Chhibber — Wed, 13 May 2015 11:38:15 +0000

Summer months are hot and sweaty. Naturally when one comes home the expectation is to find a refreshing and cool ambience. Colors, patterns and textures play a very important role to give a character to a space. As for summers, I would love to use patterns that add a degree of freshness, color and life – some qualities that are going to be missing in the ‘devitalized’ outsides. So here is bringing a pick of patterns and textures that will make your summer home cool, breezy and refreshing.

Summer Home: Patterns And Textures For The Season

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Sea-Life Inspired Patterns That Cool

There is something about the sea and the beach that attracts us more in the summers than in any other season. Most of you would agree with me when I say, that water has a freshness about it and we find solace in its cool surrounds. Sea-life inspired patterns carry that doze of freshness right into your summer home. Use patterns like sea shells, ocean vegetation, sea horses, fish and waves in your home. You can carefully incorporate these in the form of cushion covers, bedroom linen, curtains etc. Go nautical this summer!

Small Flower Prints That Bring Life

Summer heat also finds respite in the freshness and life of a garden. Tiny blooms that symbolize life pop up despite the soaring heat. Find inspiration in these tiny flowers and use small flower patterns lavishly in your summer home. Floral prints look stunning in the form of table cloths, napkins and kitchen linen. If they do find resonance with your personality splash them extravagantly in your entire home.

Bright Bold Prints That Add Color

Summers also encourage vibrant bursts of colors. The heat outside makes outdoor life dull, boring and tiring. So when one encounters bursts of color in ones home, it brings back the promise of life and color. I would suggest the use of bold colorful prints in your summer home as they add color and vibrance to everything around. Bold patterns can be used sparsely in living spaces and extravagantly in children spaces. Your kids will just love the beautiful bold colors.

Ethnic Patterns

Ethnic prints are very dynamic. They can be moulded to beautify your summer home very effectively. Use patterns like paisley, chevrons, shells, etc., in bright, vibrant shades to bring in the freshness. You could also use block prints and tribal motifs. The overall look will be the kinds that will allow you to sit back, loosen up and revitalize.

Summer is a season where you can experiment freely with patterns and textures. Just keep in mind that the colors used must be bright and vibrant and there isn’t a chance that you will go wrong. Use these patterns in areas that are changeable and temporary like cushion covers, bedroom linen, tablecloths etc. This shall ensure that once the season is gone and another one comes forth you can change the decor accordingly without much effort and cost. Do share with us your views on summer patterns and of ways you think might be apt to use them.

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